Kelly Preston to Have Silent Birth

Silent Birth Isn't Just For Scientologists Like Kelly Preston

I'm a talkative person, but when I'm in pain — I get quiet. There are only a handful of times when I've had nothing to say and three of those were when I was in active labor. Nothing, but bracing myself and staying mum, helped me get through the contractions — especially with my lil guy who was 10 lbs., 2 oz. and felt like a runaway freight train trying to exit.

Rumor has it that Scientologist Kelly Preston is planning on a silent labor with her impending bundle of joy. The religious birth plan avoids talking and music during the delivery, but natural human reactions to the process are allowed. Were you quiet during portions of your labor?

I am not a scientologist, nor did I have a "silent birth", but the concept appeals to me. I know that it was incredibly annoying to have other people talking while I was giving birth. All that counting to ten, and yelling "PUSH" - I felt like throwing someone out the window, but was too "busy" to actually say anything to anyone. I heard once that during silent birth, the mother is allowed to make all the noise she wants, but everyone else has to shut up. Sounds good to me! :-)

I was nowhere near silence. I screamed like a mad woman! I didn't feel like talking, though. Whenever someone asked me something, I got so irritated and angry at them.
I didn't have any meds, either. But I don't pat myself on the back for that...

4 years

You do realize Kelly Preston already gave birth and it's no longer "impending", right?

Like the previous poster said, screaming didn't do anything for me. Focusing on my body and what I needed to do was the best thing for me, and I remained really quiet throughout most of my labor. In between contractions I would talk with my boyfriend, the doctor, whoever, but once things started getting more intense I was very quiet.

4 years

I delivered all 3 of my children without meds or interventions, and while I understand this is not for everyone, I'm very proud of doing it myself. My labours and deliveries were also relatively quiet. I am a trained firefighter and find in stressful situations, as birthing is, I center myself by becoming quiet and focusing on what I'm doing. Up until about 9cm, I was chatting with the doc and nurses and my husband, but then it's right down to business and I focus. I take deep even breaths and do what needs to be done blocking out what's going on around me and becoming quiet. Screaming doesn't help and for me, being quiet and centered was the best thing I could do as I was able to deliver very quickly that way and minimize the pain.

4 years

Kelly Preston has given numerous interviews about how the "silent birth" isn't at all like it's described, and how she doesn't rule out epidurals and other things. It's about trying to keep calm, not about trying to keep silent, and that she's always enjoyed music as part of it.
I wonder if she's as tired of people perpetuating the myth based on "rumor has it" as I am.